Indian airline Air India has announced a new fitness policy for its cabin crew. Starting May 1, the company will measure the Body Mass Index (BMI) for all flight crew members. Under the new policy, the BMI must be within the healthy range of 18 to 24.9. Employees with a BMI below 18 will be classified as underweight and will need to obtain medical clearance before being allowed to return to work. Those with readings between 25 and 29.9 will be classified as overweight and must undergo a medical examination to get a flying permit. Individuals who score 30 or higher, classified as obese, will be immediately grounded. During the medical waiting period, they will be removed from flight schedules and may not be paid. The company gives employees who do not meet the standards a 30-day deadline to adjust their health status and submit acceptable readings. If results continue to be outside the specified range, the employee may face warning letters and potential disciplinary actions. The new policy will also apply to trainees seeking cabin crew positions. This is not the first such move in the aviation sector to spark criticism. Previously, Southwest Airlines faced a wave of protests after ending its 50-year-old policy of seat selection upon boarding. Additionally, its policies regarding overweight passengers have sparked debate, as some are required to book and pay for two seats in advance.
